Is there an equipment file that is most accurate? Does it really matter? In Panzer General II, the accuracy of its equipment files, in comparison to the real equipment that it is suppose to represent, does not matter. What really matters in the game is the strength relationship between the player and the computer (AI).
When campaigns1 are designed, this strength relationship is one of the main focal points of its designer. The elements of this strength relationship are the units' experience levels, strength levels, and prestige allocation. A good designer will spend a good portion of time estimating the player's strength, and then setting the AI's strength, so that it will give the player a proper challenge. Repeatedly play-testing each scenario adds to the bulk of the time needed to properly set the AI's strength.
When the player decides to use an equipment file that is different than what the campaign is designed with, the strength relationship that is intended, is compromised to the point where the player may not win the campaign where he is expected to - providing he can win. If he loses, most likely he will blame the campaign designer. Sadly, the blame is misdirected.
A player's use of unintended equipment files is not the only problem faced by the campaign designer. If the campaign designer decides to use non-original SSI files in the making of his campaign, he risks losing his intended strength relationship between the player and the AI if the equipment file designer decides to make drastic changes to his files. Because of this risk, it is in the campaign designer's best interest to either use SSI's original files or those that have been abandoned by its designer.
Ballistical and cost accuracies of equipment files cannot take precedence over the player-versus-AI strength relationship.
Back to Armory / CO's Notes
1. Stand-alone scenarios are presented with the same problems.